This stitch is the incorporation of chain stitch in a zig zag manner. In other words, a zig zag chain stitch is done between two parallel lines instead of one. Ideal for any border embroidery, this is more of a decoration stitch.

I have used only one stitch line to illustrate this stitch. You may imagine a parallel stitch line over the one that I have marked. To do this stitch, you need to know how to do chain stitch.

Fig 1: With the base on the stitch line, do a chain stitch loop.

Fig 2: The stitch should be slanted at about a 45 degrees angle, from the stitch line. If it helps, you may draw a parallel stitch line as well.

Fig 3: Continue with the chain stitch procedure, but keep the needle at a 45 degree angle always, for every new stitch.

Fig 4: You should get a pattern like this when done on a straight line. You can try to follow curves too.

28 Responses to “zig zag chain stitch”

Just pitched into the embroidery section when I was browsing .. Good job!!! There is a beautifully written tutorial for a wide range of stitches… Had never seen this zig-zag chain stitch anywhere .. You have explained this stitch with really good pics !!!

Its human to make mistakes. I thought it spoiled the otherwise perfect tutorial and hence sent you a mail.

Btw it would be great if you could reply to my doubt in the homepage of the chain stitch family. As suggested by you posting a comment in the relevant page would help others who might have similar doubts and hence I am not asking it here again.

Also warm bday wishes for your lil one.

Just anxious to know where you are located in India. Are you in Kerala and if so in which part of Kerala? If you are in Trivandrum I would love to attend your classes in person.

Thank you so much for this tutorial!! My grandmother taught me all these stitches when I was younger and I forgot some of them. Seeing them again in an easy to understand tutorial has brought those precious memories back. Also, I can use some new stitches when I embroider wedding dresses. If you don’t mind, I would love to link this website to my facebook page.

Madam,
I am very very happy about your online classes. As I am an employee I could not attend any classes. I was very excited to see your site in the internet. It made me to remember all the stitches when I was in primary classes. I embroidered my daughters two dresses also. Thanks alot.

Hello Sarah
What a wonderful site with just beautiful stitches. The way you have put them together and your beautiful work has helped me so much, to brush up and re-learn many stitches that my mother taught me some 50 some years ago. It will teach anyone wanting to learn them the way you have shown them. I also love your reference library of stitches by name or by pictures. I have done very little hand embroidery for many years and now I’m taking a couple of art quilting classes and they also do hand embroidery and I couldn’t recall all of the stitches nor could I find a good book with all the stitches in it. Do you have a book I could buy with all the stitches in it? That would be a great help to me. I am disabled because of my back and can only sit at my desk for short periods at a time. Then I sit in my recliner and could take your book with me to brush-1up on the stitches I am using in which ever art piece I’m doing at the time. I have to ask you how old are you? You are about the age I was, when my mother taught me.

We are working on an E-book right now. You can print it to your convenience once we make it available. There is a slight delay in coming out with it as I am bound with two little kids and frequent travels. It should be available in a 2-3 months, and I will only be glad to let you know about it. We appreciate that despite your inability with your back, you have the heart to revisit your old hobby.

I am 32 years old and live with our two little kids and a husband(my third kid) who is a great support and help in bringing out this tutorials to you.

Hi,
I’m very much interested in Embroidery. Your illustration is very helpful. Can you please tell how many strings of threads should be used for certain stitches and also the reverse pattern for each stitches.

Hi sarah..U have lots of awesome tutorials.. n nice collection.. I would like to do those stitches in fabric n stick on the book fr reference.. I will b doing the same like ur stitch dictionary reference.Recently I am going fr hand embroidery class..But they taught vandyke stitch is quite different from yours.. I searched youtube fr vandyke stitch..Plz have a look from mary corbet’ video..n plz confirm if there r the same? Thanks